From Bloomberg, 11/10/06:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=washingtonstory&sid=abEn_GCAiKhM
Levin to Use Top Armed Services Post to Push U.S. Iraq Pullout
By Tony Capaccio and Kelly Riddell
(Bloomberg) --
Democrats' takeover of the Senate puts Carl Levin, a man who's said
the U.S. must begin to pull troops out of Iraq, in charge of the Armed
Services Committee.
Levin has pressed the Bush administration to force Iraqis to take more
responsibility for their security and to set a timetable for U.S.
withdrawal.
He'll have the power to convene hearings, subpoena documents and bring
national media attention to Democrats' differences with the
administration over this issue and any other he chooses.
Expect Levin to ``unleash a spate of oversight hearings,'' said Gordon
Adams, a professor of defense policy for George Washington University.
``He's going to be a bulldog.''
The armed services panel writes defense policy and authorizes billions
of dollars in military spending.
Levin, of Michigan, probably won't press for major cuts in the defense
budget.
Democrats realize they need to convince the public they will be as
aggressive as Republicans on defense issues, analysts said.
Levin has signaled that he would sharpen oversight of the Pentagon's
growing use of private contractors.
Levin, the ranking Democrat on armed services, will succeed Republican
Senator John Warner of Virginia as chairman when the 110th Congress
convenes in January.
________________________________________________________
Moving right along.
Harry
.
|
